🌙 VATICAN REPORT | Friday 16 October 2026 evening

📞 The phone call with Putin Pope Leo XIV held a phone call with Vladimir Putin. According to the Holy See Bulletin, the Pope expressed "deep concern" for Oleshky, in the Kherson region, and asked for a truce to allow food and medical aid in and the safe evacuation of civilians. Pietro Parolin said the call was the Holy Father's initiative. The Kremlin confirmed the call, giving its own version. 🏥 Mass at Gemelli At noon the Pope celebrated Mass in the tenth-floor room at Gemelli, distributed Communion himself and in his homily thanked doctors, nurses and staff. In the early afternoon Tagle and Reina visited him separately. Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora, the doctors, report a "steady improvement in general condition": the Pope carries out daily activities "with complete autonomy". On his discharge, Press Office director Matteo Bruni said: "We will have to wait for the doctors' indications." 🗣️ Parolin: "a successful operation" On the sidelines of a conference at the Catholic University, Parolin spoke of a "successful operation" and said future trips "will depend on how he leaves hospital". Asked about a precautionary resignation letter, he replied: "No, no. Not that." 🌾 FAO and appointments In his message to FAO for World Food Day the Pope wrote that bread must never be "used as a weapon of war". For Madrid he appointed Fernando Murga Gómez and Andrés Martínez Esteban as auxiliary bishops. 📌 To watch • Sunday's Angelus: Bruni says "it will take place", place and format to be set • New medical updates and news on discharge • The trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from 6 November #LeoXIV #Vatican